Experience of a lifetime.......

Blueface · 12-07-2008, 03:23 PM

I have been MIA for a while due to lots of things going on but mostly work.
I am back from a week of relaxation on a cruise that was too good of a deal to pass on, specially given the wife and I just have to drive a half hour to jump on board.

I could not wait to come back and share this with all.
I never thought I would see the day my eyes would see this sight again.
I was filled with so many emotions at the time.
I jumped for joy.
I cried.
I got goose bumps all over.
To some, this is a cloudy photo of a scene. It was a very cloudy day so I was quite fortunate to be able to capture this much.
To me, it is the most beautiful sight my eyes have seen in over 42 years.
Those that know me will probably have guessed by now that this is a photo of Cuba, captured by my camera, as seen through my very own eyes.
Even now as I type this, I am filled with emotions.
As I stood there for the half hour or so we cruised by it, I realized my wife's emotions were so much more complex than mine.
She too experienced the same feelings I did but for her it was much more special.
She was laying eyes once again literally where she was born. We were passing Pinar del Rio. Just over the mountains in this picture is Vuelta Abajo. Just near that area is her family's home. Just over those hills is a dad she can't hug or speak to on a regular basis.
I suppose the only way to cope with the incredible sadness and tears that come about even as I type is the fact at the very least, I got to see it again before I die. Hopefully, one day we can take that further and actually get to step foot on its soil.

croatan · 12-07-2008, 03:28 PM

Glad to see you back, Carlos.

Tony, Mikey, and I got together last night and we missed you greatly.

alley00p · 12-07-2008, 03:35 PM

Carlos, I'm moved by your description of your trip, and I will keep your wife in my thoughts. I only hope that someday soon she will be able to meet with her papa.

Welcome home!

icehog3 · 12-07-2008, 03:41 PM

Amazing description of the experience, Carlos. I hope that someday things will change enough to where you both can AND want to visit The Island.

JE3146 · 12-07-2008, 03:45 PM

I can't even begin to explain how much this post and picture opened up my eyes to a perspective on 'things' that I'd never even considered before.

Here's hoping 'things' change in the coming years and you will be allowed to set foot on her again.

MNSmoker · 12-07-2008, 03:55 PM

That's a great story, and thanks for sharing it with us. I'm glad you and your wife got to share in that great experience, and hopefully one day the both of you will be able to return to Cuba. Your story definitely helps others to view what the embargo really means to some of us.

68TriShield · 12-07-2008, 04:21 PM

I can't begin to imagine Carlos...

12-07-2008, 04:47 PM

Thanks for sharing Carlos.............there are some thing we take for granted and being able to go to a country that someone else couldn't was certainly something that I had.

Give Clara a big hug from me.
I am pleased to hear that you were able to have a nice cruise together.

Don Fernando · 12-07-2008, 05:06 PM

Carlos, I hope for you and your wife that Obama accepts the invitation of the Castro brothers and that the relations between Cuba and the US improve to the level that your wife and you can visit her family.

TideRoll · 12-07-2008, 05:28 PM

I'm very glad you got this opportunity.

Starscream · 12-07-2008, 05:44 PM

Carlos, I cannot imagin how you feel. Glad to hear you had this opportunity, and hope one day you can take it a step further.

floydp · 12-07-2008, 06:42 PM

Someday soon I hope its merely a flight reservation for you two to visit home brother. Thanks for sharing Carlos.

replicant_argent · 12-07-2008, 07:16 PM

Wonderful thoughts, my brother. Give yourself and Clara a hug for us.

Tenor CS · 12-07-2008, 07:23 PM

I lived in Miami for 15 years, and I made many wonderful Cuban friends who have similar emotions to yours. Thank you for sharing the story and photo. I raise my glass to you and hope for the best.

pnoon · 12-07-2008, 07:25 PM

I had been wondering where you had been.

What a profound and moving experience. I am happy for you both, Carlos.

jitzy · 12-07-2008, 07:30 PM

That is incredibly amazing, I really hope your wife gets to go back there one day

mikeyj23 · 12-07-2008, 07:31 PM

Thanks for sharing your experience, Carlos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by croatan

Tony, Mikey, and I got together last night and we missed you greatly.

That we did. We even talked about getting you down here again

floydpink · 12-07-2008, 07:54 PM

Thanks for sharing that story Carlos. I felt sad reading it, and hope your family's hearts are filled with a joyful reunion in the near future.

Skywalker · 12-07-2008, 09:19 PM

Incredible!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

lenguamor · 12-07-2008, 09:27 PM

May your voice reach God's ear, Carlos.

It is my hope to one day set foot again upon the soil of a free Cuba; it is my dream to one day, once again, call it my home.

12-07-2008, 03:23 PM	#1
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Experience of a lifetime....... I have been MIA for a while due to lots of things going on but mostly work. I am back from a week of relaxation on a cruise that was too good of a deal to pass on, specially given the wife and I just have to drive a half hour to jump on board. I could not wait to come back and share this with all. I never thought I would see the day my eyes would see this sight again. I was filled with so many emotions at the time. I jumped for joy. I cried. I got goose bumps all over. To some, this is a cloudy photo of a scene. It was a very cloudy day so I was quite fortunate to be able to capture this much. To me, it is the most beautiful sight my eyes have seen in over 42 years. Those that know me will probably have guessed by now that this is a photo of Cuba, captured by my camera, as seen through my very own eyes. Even now as I type this, I am filled with emotions. As I stood there for the half hour or so we cruised by it, I realized my wife's emotions were so much more complex than mine. She too experienced the same feelings I did but for her it was much more special. She was laying eyes once again literally where she was born. We were passing Pinar del Rio. Just over the mountains in this picture is Vuelta Abajo. Just near that area is her family's home. Just over those hills is a dad she can't hug or speak to on a regular basis. I suppose the only way to cope with the incredible sadness and tears that come about even as I type is the fact at the very least, I got to see it again before I die. Hopefully, one day we can take that further and actually get to step foot on its soil. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

12-07-2008, 03:28 PM	#2
croatan Missing Peter Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: James Location: la Vuelta Abajo Posts: 3,727 Trading: (6)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Glad to see you back, Carlos. Tony, Mikey, and I got together last night and we missed you greatly. __________________ Fumo ergo sum.

12-07-2008, 03:35 PM	#3
alley00p Adopted MassHole Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Charlie Location: HOCKEYTOWN! Posts: 1,770 Trading: (41)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Carlos, I'm moved by your description of your trip, and I will keep your wife in my thoughts. I only hope that someday soon she will be able to meet with her papa. Welcome home! __________________ Alley00p - I may be a FOG, but I'm still trying to dance!! Just don't trip over my cane!

12-07-2008, 03:41 PM	#4
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,266 Trading: (60)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Amazing description of the experience, Carlos. I hope that someday things will change enough to where you both can AND want to visit The Island. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

12-07-2008, 03:45 PM	#5
JE3146 Jordan #2 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jordan Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 2,115 Trading: (26)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... I can't even begin to explain how much this post and picture opened up my eyes to a perspective on 'things' that I'd never even considered before. Here's hoping 'things' change in the coming years and you will be allowed to set foot on her again.

12-07-2008, 03:55 PM	#6
MNSmoker Well Adjusted Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Chris Location: Twin Cities Posts: 398 Trading: (13)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... That's a great story, and thanks for sharing it with us. I'm glad you and your wife got to share in that great experience, and hopefully one day the both of you will be able to return to Cuba. Your story definitely helps others to view what the embargo really means to some of us. __________________

12-07-2008, 04:21 PM	#7
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,194 Trading: (40)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... I can't begin to imagine Carlos...

12-07-2008, 04:47 PM	#8
kiwi michelle Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Thanks for sharing Carlos.............there are some thing we take for granted and being able to go to a country that someone else couldn't was certainly something that I had. Give Clara a big hug from me. I am pleased to hear that you were able to have a nice cruise together.

12-07-2008, 05:06 PM	#9
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,068 Trading: (29)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Carlos, I hope for you and your wife that Obama accepts the invitation of the Castro brothers and that the relations between Cuba and the US improve to the level that your wife and you can visit her family. __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

12-07-2008, 05:28 PM	#10
TideRoll It is what it is. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: North of the 'Ham Posts: 154 Trading: (5)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... I'm very glad you got this opportunity. __________________ “If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride, and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.” - Paul W. Bryant

12-07-2008, 05:44 PM	#11
Starscream Knowhutimean, Vern? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andy Location: In a little town somewhere in the USA Posts: 10,237 Trading: (4)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Carlos, I cannot imagin how you feel. Glad to hear you had this opportunity, and hope one day you can take it a step further. __________________ Insert quote here.

12-07-2008, 06:42 PM	#12
floydp Team of 11 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Frank Location: Here behind my wall Posts: 939 Trading: (0)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Someday soon I hope its merely a flight reservation for you two to visit home brother. Thanks for sharing Carlos. __________________ Waiting for the Worms to come.

12-07-2008, 07:16 PM	#13
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Wonderful thoughts, my brother. Give yourself and Clara a hug for us. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

12-07-2008, 07:23 PM	#14
Tenor CS Feeling Better! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Christian Location: Davenport, FL (near Orlando) Posts: 717 Trading: (2)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... I lived in Miami for 15 years, and I made many wonderful Cuban friends who have similar emotions to yours. Thank you for sharing the story and photo. I raise my glass to you and hope for the best. __________________ When the world itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?

12-07-2008, 07:25 PM	#15
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... I had been wondering where you had been. What a profound and moving experience. I am happy for you both, Carlos. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

12-07-2008, 07:30 PM	#16
jitzy Illusione Whore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Windermere Fl Posts: 306 Trading: (17)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... That is incredibly amazing, I really hope your wife gets to go back there one day __________________

12-07-2008, 07:54 PM	#18
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Thanks for sharing that story Carlos. I felt sad reading it, and hope your family's hearts are filled with a joyful reunion in the near future. __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

12-07-2008, 09:19 PM	#19
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... Incredible!!! Thanks for sharing!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

12-07-2008, 09:27 PM	#20
lenguamor puta por Ninfas! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joe Location: The 305 again! Posts: 1,030 Trading: (23)	Re: Experience of a lifetime....... May your voice reach God's ear, Carlos. It is my hope to one day set foot again upon the soil of a free Cuba; it is my dream to one day, once again, call it my home. __________________